The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-02-10
sixth power, which has assumed q place in the
front rank in 1870 ropnrrehended a territory

front rank, in 1859 comprehepded a territory
not larger than an Indiana congressional dis
trict, and was classed as fourth rate, but now
posse sses an area little less than that OF the
islands of Great Britain and Ireland. and pop
ulation OF n, 769, rs. Other relative changes
have occurred whereby Russia and Prussia (now
Germany have acquired preponderance OF
force above the other great powers, while Aus
tria and France have declined. New interests
have sprung up in consequence of these changes.
French diplomacy, which during the seven
teenth and eighteenth centuries was directed
toward the restriction of Austrian ascendency,
has now been altered to antagonize the house OF
Hohenzollern, whose recent elevation to the rule
OF united Germany is a standing menace not
only to France but to England as we'll The lit
tie Kingdoms of Denmark, Belgium and Holland
form the main grounds of jealousy between
them These countries, if acquired by Ger
many. would round her territories out to the
ocean from the straits of Dover to the Russian
frontier, aggrandzing her with $3.50 square
miles, with wealthy and Industrious popua
tion, and giving her opportunities for becoming
the preponderating maritime power. These con-
slderations, together with Germanys recent
demonstrations of colonial enterprise. must con-
tlnue to prevent complete amity between these
three governments. France has for some years
found herself partially isolated in Europe on ac-
count OF the wholesome dread experienced by
the other nations of her remarkable vitality, her
republican proclivites and her ambitious dis
position. There can be no real concord between
her and Austria whose territory she despoiled
for the advantage of Italy. or between her and
Germany, by whom she was despoiled. Her
opportunities for expansion lie in the direction
OF the Dutch kingdoms, the Rhenish provinces,
Switzerland and the Spanish peninsula. In all
these directions she has made numerous at
tempts at acquisition, as well rs along the
African coasts. in eastern Asia and in the islands
of the sea- Conflicting interests in the Med
lterranean and in the old Barbary states will
prevent lasting co-operation with Italy; while
- coveted prize of Egypt and Holland makes
1AaIv v1y,rD - H. ~e AhA
France has found her true ally in Rnssia by
which league she can threaten all the other
great powers.
Austria Hungary having been driven out of
Italy by france and Sardinia and cut off from
Germany by the results of the war with Prussia.
her only opportunities for conquest lie in the
East, and hence for her the dsmemberment of
the Ottoman empire has moro vital interest
tnan even to Russia. By the Russo Turkish
war of 1879 number of small independent
| states were created between the contesting
parties; and these states, Bulgaria, Servia and
Montenegro, with the yet Turkish provinces OF
Albania, Macedonia and Roumelia, and the
prospective possession of Constantinople. form a
| prize of the first importance, to gain which is
just now taxing the skill of Austrian dplomates.
The population of these countries is largely Slav,
| but the Austria empire is more than half Slav
| already, hence there would be violent dis
| arrangement of domestic interests if she should
| obtain large portion of the Sick Mans" herit-
| age when Islamsm retires across the Borphorus.
|
curtail Russian power, and England, whose in
| terests in Asia and Egypt would be menaced by
| a Mnscovite point d'appui on the Mediterranean.
| Austria, therefore. as the least OF two evils is
designated as the future possessor OF the Golden
| Horn.
italian interests lie just now in the consolda-
| tien of her recent acquisitions and the unifca
tion of the nation. The hostile attitude of the
Papsl Sse towards the present government. af
fectihg, as it does, ignorant and superstitious
I a IfSYfl-
aegressiveness of Italv's foreign policy. About
her only chances for European expansion lie IL
the Austrian provinces of the Tyrol and lstria
| or the French territory of Nice But Italy Gov
| cts possessions on the northern coast of Africa
| and on the western coasts of Turkey; and she is
| interested in shutting Russia out of the mari
time affairs of the Mediterranean Hence shs
| natvFAiy joins Germany and England as agains
Rgssss. and France but has vital interest il
! preventing the dlslntegration of Turkey on an,
| account
England is the traditional foe of France; from
| self-lnterest she is vet more the enemy OF Rus
sia. Her vast dominions in Asia. embracing a,
area of one million square miles and population
greater than tDat of ancient Rome in the zenitl
of her power, have become by the gradual ex
tension of Russian conquest threatened al
along the line, while Russian control of tn
Black and its outleIto the Mediterranean
would mean ultimate conquest OF Asia Minor Ant
the closing of all routes to India except by wa,
of the Cape of Good Hope. 1t would ais
seriously enhance the naval power of Russia il
southern seas by giving that power the fines
port in the world. Her interests also antagoniz
Germany on the North sea. where that latte
power is striving for the coast line opposite Enc
land and the key to the Baltic held by Denmark
| Germany's great interest is peace; peace tina
will give her statesmen time to weld into indis
soluble union the heterogeneous elements of he
empire. For centuries the little states of Ger
many have schemed, and wrought and tough
each other: until all their petty prejudices an
disputes have hardened into animoslties tina
will require long time to eradicate 1t will tax
| generations to reconcile Catholic Bavaria, Bade
and Wirtemberg to endure the rule of Lutheran
Brandenburg, and a reverse of arms like that c
Jena would be likely to tumble the whole en-
pre into pieces Prince Bismarck understand
this well. and his diplomacy s actively at wor
for the preservation of peace and the unidcatio
> of the states. Germanys geographical positio
leaves her exposed to attack by either Russis
Austria, France or England without the inter
position of small principalities which, in SO man
! instances, have served as bulwarks of defense
continental struggles. OF all these power
Russia is the only Germany really fears
though France is her deadly enemy. and is, lik
a lion, ready to spring. Hence we find ne
drawing closer to Austria and Italy, and road
, to make sacrifices toward Russia to prevent b
ing drawn into hostilties With her eastern an
western foes
Russia is undoubtedly the first power in tn
eastern hemisphere, embracing half of EuroI
and nearly half Of Asia, with territory guarde
from invasion by location and climate, an
; whose resources welded by central aut
cratic vernment-always the strongest Il
aggression. Russian interests never chang
j What they were in the DAYS of the great Pete
r they are to-day; namely the acquisition of a
r adjoining territory and the subjugation of a
8 contiguous people. The same disposition whic
n overran the fertile plains of Poland and Lit
d uana, and pushed her arms into bleak Laplar
l. and marshy Finland, also led her soldiers alor
the rocky defiles of the Caucasus and across II
desert lands of Turkestan and Bokhara, and
now impeling her statesmen and soldiers
plant the imperial eagles by the silvery waite
It of Marmora, over the historic empire of Cyru
and on the coasts OF the Carnatc. Her dipl
macy menaces Germany. Austria, Turke
Persia, British India, Scandinavia and Il
l. Chinese empire. The only European ally
% the first rank she can really hope for is Franc
!. Thus, we see France and Russia in one grou